Two time world champion Mick Fanning helped his team Kirra to victory at the Jim Beam Surftag Regional Qualifying event in Coolangatta. Credit – Jim Beam Surftag/Craig Cappe
Saturday 15th January 2011 (Coolangatta, QLD) – ONE of the greatest days in Jim Beam Surftag history has seen Kirra Surfriders claim the regional Queensland qualifying title over arch rivals Snapper Rocks in epic surf on the Gold Coast.
While the ravaging floods one hour north are proving devastating for those affected, Tropical Cyclone Zelia spinning off the coast of Cairns sent a solid pulse of swell southwards, with the famous superbank stretch dishing out long tubes and open walls for over 20 boardriding clubs.
The entry list from clubs as far north as Noosa and as far south as Ballina read like a who’s who of Australian surfing with the likes of Mick Fanning, Dean Morrison, Mark Occhilupo, Adam Melling, Shaun Gossman and Jay Phillips all turning out for their respective teams.
With 6 places on offer for the national final in two weeks, the shock exit of Le Ba Boardriders in the Semi Final paved the way for Snapper Rocks, Byron Bay, Kirra and Cabarita to reach the final and take a shot at the regional title.
The winning Kirra team, pictured left to right is Jesse Allen, Asher Pacey, Corey Ziems, Mick Fanning and Alex Chacon. Credit – Jim Beam Surftag/Craig Capper
With Fanning surfing for Kirra and fellow Cooly kid Dean Morrison sparring against him for Snapper Rocks it was one of the most hi-fi finals in club surfing on record. Breakthrough Club Cabarita and the ever hot Byron Bay were hot on their heals thanks to strong surfing by Garret Parkes and Tim Charmers.
Fanning had the early spark for the Kirra team, putting the club in front early with a 22.37 out of 30.00 score.
“I always like coming back and surfing for Kirra, I’ve been doing it since I was a grom,” said Fanning. “I really feel for all the people in Brisbane with what happened this week, it really hit home coming back to Australia from Hawaii yesterday.”
“I guess for us surfers this kind of weather brings waves, it’s unreal to see the bank alive again, been a slow few weeks around these parts.”
The consistency Corey Ziems and Asher Pacey had Snapper back in the lead toward the end of the one hour final until final Kirra’s Jesse Adam grabbed a last ditch wave and stole victory with less than a minute remaining.
“I had no idea how much time was left or what I needed,” said Allen post final. “I knew it was close, I missed three waves in a row and then pounced on a average one and managed to snap out a few turns.”
“It was an amazing day of surfing all round.”
The final scores had Kirra 88.07, Snapper 78.54, Byron Bay 72.60 and Cabarita on 72.34.
The highlight of the day came in the semi finals in the way of a scintillating performance by Snapper’s Jay Phillips. With two perfect 10-point rides from two consecutive waves, the talented natural footer blasted the highest score in Surftag History, an unbeatable 30.00 out of 30.00 (a surfers second wave is doubled). His outstanding heat won him the Sanyo Power Wave award and a new video camera.
The third round of the FCS manufacturers cup was help today with JS Surfboards getting the better of Emery Surfboards and SEL. 1999 World Champion Mark Occhilupo was crucial in the win for JS.Only one qualifying event remains in the Jim Beam Surftag National series before the eventual final at Avalon in Sydney starting February third.
The series will now move to Cronulla for the NSW South regional qualifying event.
The 2011 Jim Beam Surftag is proudly supported by FCS, Sanyo and O’Neill. Media partners for the series are Swellnet and Tracks surfing magazine.
2010/11 Jim Beam Surftag Dates And Locations
Oct 15 Industry Challenge (Curl Curl) (Winner – Quiksilver)
Oct 16 Trade Off (Curl Curl) (Winner – Bondi Life Guards)
Nov 13 Women’s Surftag (Dee Why) (Winner – Norah Head Women In Waves)
Dec 11 NSW North Surftag (Newcastle) (Winner – North Shelley Boardriders)
Dec 18 Victoria Surftag (Jan Juc) (Winner – Torquay)
Jan 8 West Australia Surftag (Gas Bay) (Winner – Yallingup Boardriders)
Jan 15 Queensland Surftag (Coolangatta) (Winner – Kirra)
Jan 29/30 NSW South Surftag (Cronulla)
Feb 3/4/5 Surftag Australian Final (Northern Beaches, Sydney)
